degrees that, though the slope increased,
the way was less cumbered with dense growth, so that the advance was
easier; while as the sun sank lower a gentle breeze sprang up to refresh
them, making Gedge stretch out and increase the pace, in spite of the
path growing more steep.

"Don't think they're after us--do you, sir?" said the lad at last, as
they trudged on, watching the gradual ascent of a shadow on one of the
hills in front.

"No; I think we succeeded in our scare."

"Because it makes a lot o' difference, sir."

"I don't understand you," said Bracy.

"We've a lot to do to-morrow, sir; and while it's dark I s'pose you'll
bivvywack."

"I shall keep on till it's too dark to see, my lad," said Bracy, "and
then we must sleep till it is light enough to see, and go on again. I
want to get twenty-four hours' walking between us and the fort."

"Exactly, sir. Be safer then."

"Perhaps," said Bracy, smiling grimly.

"O' course, sir," said Gedge sharply; "but I was thinking about
to-night. Is it to be watch and watch, sir--one on dooty, t'other off."

"No; our work will be too hard for that, Gedge," replied Bracy. "We
must have as many hours' heavy sleep as we can, or we shall never get to
the Ghil Valley. The work to-day has been play to some of the climbing
we shall have."

"Yus, sir; I s'pose so," said Gedge cheerily; "lot o' uphill, o'
course."

"Up mountain, my lad."

"Yus, sir; only got in the way o' calling all these snow-pynts hills;
but it'll be very fine; and after getting up one there must be some
downhill on the other side. Do you know, sir, I've been reg'lar
longing, like, ever since we come here, to go up a mountain--a reg'lar
big one; but I didn't think I should ever have the chance, and here it
is come."

Instead of rapidly growing darker a glorious sunset lit up cloud and
mountain, till the peaks literally blazed and flashed with the colours
of the various precious stones, wondrously magnified, till the
ever-changing scene rose higher, fading rapidly, and only a few points
burned as before. Then, in a minute, all was grey, and a peculiar sense
of cold tempered the climbers' brows.

"We shall just have time to reach that great patch of firs, Gedge," said
Bracy; "yonder, this side of the snow."

"Right, sir, I see; but it's a good two mile away."

"Surely not," said Bracy sceptically.

"'Tis, sir," persisted the man. "Distances is precious deceiving."

They kept on, with the